Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system is key to character progression. Unlocking your first Ascendancy requires completing the "Ascent to Power" quest in Act 2. This guide details how to initiate and conquer this quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting Ascent to Power

Once you unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the available location nodes. Before reaching "Traitor's Passage," speak with Zarka. She'll direct you to Balbala, a trapped Djinn, to gain power.

Balbala's location is randomized due to PoE2's procedural generation, but she's generally found near the end of Traitor's Passage. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Defuse three seals to trigger the boss fight.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability.

Here's a breakdown of Balbala's attacks and counter strategies:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack easily blocked or dodged. Save your Energy Shield for more dangerous attacks. Can inflict Burning or Poison.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack. Dodge or block; each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE that detonates after 1.5 seconds. Dodge; the voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!") precedes this attack.
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodging is crucial. Voice cue: "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Quickly step over it to prevent clone summoning. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports ("Tithe!") and unleashes a fiery AoE. Dodge!
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Find her quickly (circling counterclockwise helps) and attack to cancel the channeling. Discovery triggers a slam AoE ("Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!").
• Explosive Blade Rain: A prolonged fight triggers this attack; explosive daggers fall in a counterclockwise cone. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: Failing to quickly eliminate the Shadow Clone allows Balbala to summon a devastating blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, to be given to Zarka, revealing the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially accessed via the Ardura Caravan). Balbala will explain the trial's mechanics.

The Trials are procedurally generated, each room presenting unique challenges: timed events, traps, and elite enemies. Before starting, offer a Relic for a boon.

The Trials introduce "Honor" and "Sacred Water":

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Taking damage reduces Honor; reaching 0 Honor results in failure.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water at the end.
• Sacred Water buys keys for chests.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor. Energy Shield builds are advantageous.

Each Trial section offers boons and curses. Trial types include:

• Chalice Trial: Defeat two bosses.
• Escape Trial (timed): Defuse death crystals before time runs out.
• Gauntlet Trial: Avoid traps and activate levers.
• Hourglass Trial (timed): Survive enemy waves until time runs out.
• Ritual Trial: Kill summoners and their beasts to deactivate portals.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balancing boons and curses while preserving Honor is key. Rattlecage, in particular, requires significant Fire Resistance.

Finishing Ascent to Power

After defeating Rattlecage, choose your first Ascendancy at the final altar. This choice is permanent.

For Cruel difficulty, a workaround exists due to a bug:

1. Talk to Zarka, defeat Balbala (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
2. Return to Normal difficulty, access the Trials using the coin.
3. Complete two Trials, defeating a boss in each, gaining 2 additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a bug.)

Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure. Only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant Ascendancy Points. You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points.